Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV)
Updated
Mangaluru, Jul 25: After going without water for 20 days, the residents of Jalligudde here heaved a huge sigh relief as taps began running again on the afternoon of Saturday July 25.
It may be recalled that on July 23, daijiworld had highlighted the troubles faced by the residents of Jalligudde, who were forced to depend on rainwater as there was no water supply from MCC. The residents had faced untold problems, with the area corporator showing total lack of concern.
File Photo
The next day, mayor Jacintha Alfred assured in a press meet that the issue would be resolved soon. The residents led by CITU gheraoed the mayor and protested, and a few hours later, the mayor visited the spot and assured that water supply would be restored by 10.30 pm. However, the work on the pipeline at Padil, which had been blocked, went on till Saturday afternoon, after which the water supply was restored.
Though water supply has resumed in most of the houses in Jalligudde, some houses which are at an elevated level are yet to get it.
Mamatha, a resident of the area, said, "Water supply has been restored in our houses. I thank daijiworld for exposing the issue. It is only after our problems were highlighted that the authorities responded."
Geetha, another resident said, "We should get water everyday at least for half an hour. We are labourers and we are suffering without proper road and water."
Criticizing area corporator Sumaiya for her apathy, she said, "The corporator has not shown her face after being elected. Even her husband (whose mobile number is listed as the corporator's contact number) does not respond when called. If corporators cannot respond, they why do they contest the elections? Being a corporator she should take responsibility for people's problems. We need proper road, drainage system and uninterrupted water supply."
CPI member Premanath said, "After daijiworld higlighted the issue many people responded. We received many calls expressing sympathy during the programme on Daijiworld Television. The present corporator is not responding to people's problems. When we approached her for her signature for some works, she did not even come out of her house."
Another resident, Varija, said that presently houses in Jalligudde are getting water, but some in Jayanagar are still facing the crisis.
Earlier Report
Mangaluru: Despite assurance, Jalligudda residents yet to get water supply
Pics: Ramesh Pandith
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV)
Mangaluru, Jul 25: A day after daijiworld highlighted the problems faced by the residents of Jalligudde who have had a difficult time without water supply from the past 20 days, mayor Jacintha Alfred visited the area on the evening of Friday July 24 and assured to set right the problem.
However, though the mayor promised that water supply would be restored by 10.30 pm on Friday, the problem continues to persist. Even till 10.30 am on Saturday Juy 25, water supply eluded the residents.
During her visit on Friday evening, the mayor was surrounded by the people who protested and demanded quick resolution to the problem. MCC officer Naresh explained the technical reasons behind the scarcity, but the locals, who are already frustrated, refused to listen to technicalities and only demanded to know when the issue would be set right.
There was a heated discussion with the officials and the people. The mayor, who tried to calm down the people, said, "I have come here to resolve your problem and I promise that it would be done very soon. Work is in progress to replace the pipeline and the water supply would be restored by 10.30 pm tonight."
When the locals complained about corporator Sumaiya who they allege has not been responding to their calls, she said the MCC would look into it.
The locals also complained that they have no proper road, to which the mayor replied that first the water issue would be resolved and then the rest.
Speaking to daijiworld, the mayor said, "Repair work is going on to replace the pipeline near the railway gate at Padil. The workers will leave only after finishing the work. The problem is in the main pipeline and once it is repaired, the residents will definitely get back the water supply and there will not be any problems."
She also said that she had visited the spot where the work was going on.
When asked about complaints against the local corporator, she said, "I am also a corporator. We cannot discuss this issue in the open. We will discuss it internally and examine the matter."
Regarding the drainage problem, she said, "We will first solve the water issue. I will come back with officials during the daytime on another day and we will resolve all other issues."
Corporator Deepak accompanied the mayor.
When daijiworld contacted the mayor again on Saturday after water supply was not restored as promised, she said that work is still in progress and some amount of water has started flowing. "I have asked the officials to make sure the water supply is restored by Saturday afternoon," she added.